James called Ali three times with no answer. Granted, it was an hour later there than in Dallas, but it was still relatively early. She should’ve at least been awake so soon after the game. He paced outside the locker room as the rest of the team got ready to head back to the hotel. He hung up and tried one more time. Finally, she answered.

“Hello.”

“Babe, you okay?” He heard her mumble something and frowned. “Were you asleep?”

“Mmm hmm.”

“Shit, sorry…” He winced a little, not happy that he’d woken her up.

“It’s okay.” Her voice was starting to wake up a little. “How are you?”

“Flying high, that’s for sure. Did you see that last goal?”

“Last goal?”

James stopped pacing. “Yeah, the goal I scored? You didn’t see it?”

Ali sighed. “No, I went to bed.”

She went to bed? Before it ended?

“I’m sorry, James. I just wasn’t in the right mood tonight or something to watch the whole game.”

James blinked and stared down the hallway. Something wasn’t right and it didn’t take him long to know that. “What kind of mood are you in, exactly? Because this isn’t like you.”

“What? I can’t go to sleep and miss one game?”

The bite in Ali’s tone told James she was at least still in the mood. He wasn’t in the best position to try and help her, either…but he wanted to at least try. “I know you’re tired or whatever, but do you want to talk about it?”

"No."

He sighed. "Well can you at least tell me what it's about?"

“No, I don’t even know what’s wrong. I just need to sleep it off.”

James stood with his phone pressed tight to his ear, trying to drown out the noise in the hallway. His anger came down a bit when he heard the defeat in her voice.

“Again, I’m sorry” Ali finished.

“It’s alright." He eased up on her. "I just figured you were up and were watching."

“I’m sure you looked amazing.”

When James heard even the faintest hint of a smile creep across her face, he was satisfied. For now, anyways. “You get some sleep; we’ll talk about it in the morning.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Okaaay, we won’t talk about it.” James pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m just trying to help, here.”

“I know you are. I think I just need to get back into the swing of things here. A day or two more in Pitt, and I’ll be back to normal.”

So she’s either pissed at coming back, or she’s sad about coming back, or she’s upset at me for not coming back with her. It was one of those three, because James could think of nothing else that would cause a perfectly happy Ali in Denver to a moody Ali in Pittsburgh.

“Whatever you need, I guess” James replied. “But seriously, call me if you want. I don’t care where I’m at, I’ll pick up.”

“Okay.”

It didn’t sound reassuring, but he’d have to take it.

“Night, James.”

“Sleep tight, babe.”

He hung up and stared at his phone. Coming up beside him was Dupuis, who gave him a hard squeeze on the shoulder.

“Sick shot at the end, in case I didn’t mention it eight times before.”

James gave him a weak smile. “Thanks, Dupes.”

Pascal’s large eyebrows bent. “Alright, what is it. What just happened. Something happen there?” He pointed at the phone James just slid into his pocket.

“I don’t know, I don’t get it.” He shook his head, still confused by his entire chat. “Girls.”

“Ahh.”

“How can they be happy one minute and pissed off the next?”

Pascal chuckled. “Life’s Great Mystery.”

Down the hallway, more players started emerging. Gradually, they made their way to the busses that waited outside. The two of them looked over when Kunitz yelled that the bus was in that direction, not where they currently stood.

“Thanks Kuni” Pascal shouted back. “Wasn’t sure I’d find it without you.”

Kunitz gave him a sassy nod and continued on his way.

“So you were telling me about why you look like you just lost a puppy?”

James threw him a smirk. “It’s Ali. Something’s up.”

“She’s giving you the ring back already?” Pascal laughed. “Shit, I just lost a hundred bucks to Flower.”

“No, you ass. She’s in some sort of mood and doesn’t want to talk about it.”

Pascal thought about this for a second and nodded. “Probably just all over the place, huh? Emotionally?”

“What do you mean?” James had to rely on guys like Duper for help in this department at times. If it came to sex, he could write the book on it. If it came to making a girl smile, he could write at least the prologue. Ali was a book he could read instantly because he'd memorize every page…..but every now and then he needed an unbiased opinion.

“You take her to some great vacation…you propose…you don’t interact with any other human beings for a while…” Dupuis shrugged. “Seems pretty straight forward to me.”

“So she’s pissed she had to come back.”

“Neal.”

James laughed. “What?!?”

“I really can’t believe she said yes to you.”

He slapped Pascal in the arm. “Just spell it out, man.”

“She’s coming down off a high right now” Pascal replied. “Can’t you see? She’s bummed! You’re here, she’s there, she’s all over the place with her emotions. Probably just avoiding real life for now. And who wouldn’t?”

At least it isn’t something I did.

“You cool?” Pascal looked at him somewhat seriously. “Stop freaking out. She’ll get her shit together.”

“Yeah. Thanks, man.”

He remained standing there, even after Dupuis had moseyed back down the hall to the locker room. James needed a few things in there as well before he got on the bus, but he also wished he had just five minutes to himself to think. He wouldn’t get that until he was in bed in the hotel room, and by then he’d be too tired to bother.

Giving up on worrying about it for the time being, James went to gather his things and board the bus with the team. They would fly back to Pittsburgh the next day, so he’d be able to attack whatever was bothering Ali when he got home.

* * *

The next morning, Ali woke up feeling a little better. She stretched her legs, taking up more of the extra space in the king sized bed. It was the same old familiar view from her side of the bed when she opened her eyes, but she didn’t think it was all that bad after all. If she didn’t compare it to anything, everything was okay.

She glanced over at her phone charging on the nightstand to see a blank screen. No missed calls, no text messages.

Probably for the best.

She sank deeper into the pillows and sighed. Last night’s mistakes would have to fix themselves today, and she wasn’t sure how to go about that. James would be home by noon or so, if his flight wasn’t delayed. Then she’d have to have some sort of answer for him, because she knew he’d want to fix whatever was bothering her.

Maybe he can figure out what’s wrong first, before he tries fixing it.

The sound of her phone vibrating scared Ali enough to cause her to jump under the sheets.

“Jesus” she mumbled. It was like the phone was listening in on her thoughts. Reaching over, she expected it to be a text from James. Instead, of all people, it was from Sid.

Hey there. This may be a little late but no less heartfelt – congrats on the engagement. Hope it’s everything you want.

She read it twice. Then she read it a third time.

Hope it’s everything you want.

“The fuck?”

Ali couldn’t help herself. She shot a text back.

Thanks, Sid…but what did you mean? The last part?

She flipped over in bed to face the spot James normally occupied. It had a small indent in the mattress where he slept. Ali kept her eyes there, waiting more anxiously than she should have for Sid’s reply. They must be on the way to the airport. Funny I get a text from him and not James.

Finally, the phone moved in her hand and she lifted it to read the text:

Just that I want you to be happy. I meant nothing else. Sorry if it sounded bad.

“Can’t handle this right now” she said aloud.

You’re sweet. Thanks. Have a good flight home.

It was half-assed and Sid deserved more, but the last thing Ali wanted was that distracting her. In fact, she turned her thoughts totally around and put them into action. Endorphins were her friend in situations like these, and she would need to call upon them in the form of a run. If there was anything to make her feel more like herself, it’d be a good workout.

With some newfound enthusiasm, Ali yanked on a pair of running tights, a long sleeved shirt, finished the normal routine in the bathroom and then went downstairs. Just as she climbed into the driver’s seat of her car, her phone went off again. This time it was actually James, and she could handle that right now.

Sleep okay?

Quick and cautious. Ali didn’t blame him.

Yeah. Sorry about last night. :-(

She sat jiggling her knee as she waited. The longer she waited, the more impatient she was getting. Thankfully, James didn’t dally when it came to text message conversations.

Good and don’t worry. Just want to come home and hang with u.

That made her smile.

I want that too. I’m going for a run right now, I’ll see you when you’re home. Love ya.

Ali pulled out of the garage without waiting for a response. She needed this run more than she needed anything else that morning. Sure, her unusual episode the night before was a confusing one, but some rest helped her and she hoped a run would help her even more.

It had been at least two or three weeks since she last went for a run on the trail she chose that morning. It was cloudy and cool, but without any wind, which is why Ali chose the riverfront trail. Since it was a Friday morning, there wouldn’t be a huge crowd, which was also part of her decision to run there. The real reason, though? To run somewhere that put the city of Pittsburgh on display. Ali didn’t want to crawl back to reality; she wanted to jump in head-first. No more avoiding.

Before she strapped on her waist pack, she checked for James’ reply. He had given her a simple goodbye, and that was fine enough for her.

The minute Ali’s feet hit the pavement, she felt instantly better. The music blasting in her ears helped push her along, though she had more than enough energy to see the run through. She passed bare tree after bare tree on her right, bridge after bridge on her left. She passed dog walkers, stroller pushers, solo walkers, and other runners. Soon enough, Ali was so deep into her own mind and thoughts that she forgot life for a while. Aside from being a workout she enjoyed, this was the second best reason to run.

With five miles completed, Ali slowed to a walk and then stopped all together. She took a moment to lean over the stone barrier that separated the trail from the Allegheny River and take notice of her surroundings. Around her was the busy city, below her the flowing river.

It occurred to Ali at that moment that she wanted to go home. Not back to the house, but home-home. She wanted to see her parents and talk engagement stuff and just hang out. Maybe that would help her with her post-vacation funk.

And actually…

Ali started to laugh when she thought of the idea. Oh how could you forget! How could you forget that, Allison!

She grabbed her water bottle and took a long drink, thinking over the logistics.

…dare I bring him with me?

…too much travel, too soon?

…too bad, he travels for a living, practically.

Ali stood pondering these thoughts when she felt something at her heel. She looked down to see a scruffy little dog with a comically furry brow and an adorable smile. Behind the dog came its elderly owner on the other end of its long leash. Ali smiled at the old man, and gave the dog a little scratch under it’s chin.

Off they went down the trail. With her eyes, Ali followed them…but then her thoughts drifted off again.

James needs to meet Chester.

And that, of all things, was the decision-maker. Later, whenever the moment came about, Ali would ask if James wanted to go home with her. If he was going to marry her, he needed to see her roots.

If that didn’t scare him off, nothing would.

* * *

James left all of his luggage in the car; he’d get them later. It was the first time in nearly two weeks he’d stepped foot in his own house, so when he entered the kitchen, he breathed deep. It was good to be back.

“Babe?” He kicked off his shoes and peeled out of his coat, tossing it on the table.

Ali appeared around the corner hall that connected the living room. She was dressed in black yoga pants and a long sleeve cotton tee that was fitted in all the right places. Her hair was pulled messily up into some sort of loose bun, which James always liked on her. The sight made him feel even better to be back.

“Hey you.”

“Hiii.” Ali fell into his open arms. Naturally, James looked perfect, smelled perfect, felt perfect. It was his norm, and she was glad she got to see it, smell it, and feel it often.

James felt Ali sigh as she pressed herself against his chest.

“I’m glad you’re home” she said softly.

James kissed her head. “I am too.”

They stood for a second in their close embrace. Only when Ali lifted her head did James bother to move. He lifted a hand up to her face and smiled.

“Feeling better?”

“I think so.”

“Did you run?”

“A quick 8 miles or so.” She shrugged one shoulder. “How was your flight?”

“Bumpy.”

He wondered if they were going to approach anything involving Ali’s mood the night before, but he was willing to let it rest if she was. If a run did her the good she needed, he wouldn’t push her to talk.

“I know I just got off a plane, but all I want to do is lay on my couch and have my fiancé lay on me” he said. “You up for that?”

“SO up for that.”

James followed Ali into the living room and did two things: one, he watched her ass; two, he loosened his tie and unbuttoned the first couple of buttons on his shirt. They sat down together, Ali fitting perfectly into the crook of his arm. It was the only place either of them wanted to be. James noticed he felt more content now that he was home and with her. Maybe he actually had been feeling a little of what she felt, but he was just distracted from it because of the game and all that came with it.

In front of them, the television show Ali was watching prior to James’ arrival was still on. Though both of them faced the tv, neither were paying any attention to it.

“I didn’t think I’d have the reaction I did when I got home.” Ali began. She looked up at James and gave him a sad smile. “I don’t mean to bring it all back up again, but I really am sorry I didn’t see your goal.”

James knew eventually she’d bring it up, so he was relieved that she opened the door for him to ask questions.

“I was just confused last night” he replied. “Can’t hold that against me, can you?” He hugged her close to show he was joking, in a sense anyways. Ali didn’t smile, which concerned him a little. “Babe, it’s okay. I’m not mad.”

“Well what good am I if I don’t support you?” Ali sat up and faced him. “I walked into this house alone after Colorado and I just….I just felt alone.”

“Because I wasn’t home with you?”

She nodded. “I saw you on tv and being all James Neal on the ice and whatnot, and I let it get to me.”

James smiled at that.

“I should’ve kicked my own ass because of it” Ali finished.

She looked down and played with the end of her shirt, avoiding his gaze. He took a few seconds to process the information, realizing just how spot on Duper had been. Bastard. I owe him now, too.

James rubbed Ali’s knee. “Listen, you know it’s like two lives, right? What I do?”

Somewhere in the back of Ali’s mind, she heard one Sidney Crosby telling her he has to do it. We all do.

“And really, my mind isn’t anywhere else but on the ice when I’m out there. It can’t be anywhere else.”

“I KNOW, I know, ugggh.” Ali shook her head. “I am not challenging your job here, James. I’m just trying to come back from the mountains.”

James rested a hand on her neck and stared into two eyes he wished would look happier. “I get it. At least, I do now.” He chuckled. “If I admit something, you can’t hate me, okay?”

Ali leaned back a little. “Uhh…”

“No, it’s nothing bad” he added quickly. “But I asked Dupuis for a little advice. Well…actually, he kind of forced it out of me…”

“What did you say!?!?” Her large eyes narrowed on him.

“I guess it was the look on my face after we hung up last night. He saw me in the hall and you know Duper.”

She smiled. “That I do.”

“So, I get it…I get why you’re feeling a little off after our amazing, amazing trip.” He tried to make his voice as understanding as possible for her. “If I could’ve come home and decompressed with you, I would have.”

“I know that, too.”

He moved a bit of loose hair back behind Ali’s ear, getting a smile out of her. “We okay?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry.”

“Please don’t cry.”

Ali laughed. “I won’t. I think I cried every last tear in Aspen.”

“Good, because I want nothing but smiles.”

James took the moment to kiss her, knowing very well it was long overdue. The minute his lips touched hers, it was like they were transported right back to their house in the woods. Memories came back in just that simple touch.

“Besides” he said, breaking the kiss. “I think I had every woman in my family and yours crying in Aspen, too.”

Ali laughed. “You did.” She brought her mouth back to his for another taste. James was just getting into it when he was startled right back out of it. Ali now had a look of excitement all over her face.

“That reminds me!”

“Whatever it is, it must be good to scare ya out of a damn good kiss” he replied, amused by her sudden outburst.

Ali bumped him softly. “Listen! On the run today, I realized I might want to go home and visit my parents.”

“Oh you should! They’d love that, especially now that you have something new to show them.”

“Yes, there’s that, buuuuutt…..” Ali swayed her head back and forth as if alluding to something.

When James saw the cute little grin she got whenever she was holding something back, he also had to smile. “Alright, let’s have it.”

“I want you to come with me.”

Her eyes lit up and James actually felt his heart beat in double time. “Really?” he asked, fairly surprised by the question.

“Yes really! I’ve been to Whitby, and that didn’t scare me off. Time for you to try my hometown.”

James had to laugh. “Babe, nothing could scare me off at this point. I’ve seen you barf before.”

“Don’t remind me….” She put a hand up to her face.

“I’ve seen you sick and snotting all over the place.”

“James, stop.”

He leaned in closer. “I know you poop.”

“JAMES.”

“Well what is in your hometown that would scare me off?” He thought it was ridiculous. “Whitby isn’t exactly New York City, you know. I think small towns are pretty cool.”

“There’s like 900 people who live there” Ali remarked. “All of them are old.”

“I like old!”

She sighed.

“I’ll go home with you,” he said. “But only because you want me to. Not to prove any wild idea that it’s going to drive me away.”

He waited, watching Ali think. It was a sight he enjoyed, along with 5000 other things he enjoyed about her. She was so animated all the time, even when a normal person typically wouldn’t be. It made his role in the relationship pretty easy, since she took a lot of the guesswork out of it.

“You do realize that’s really why I want you to come home with me, right?” she asked him. “Not to ‘test you’ or anything weird like that.”

“Yep, I do.”

“Okay.” She paused. “Because I never want to lose you. Or this.” She held up her hand containing the ring. “Because if I lose this, I lose you.”

James now placed both hands on each side of her neck and held her firmly. “You won’t lose me, Allison. We’re in this together, right? Where you go, I go? Didn’t a sexy girl once tell me that at dinner not too long ago?”

Ali nodded and her eyes started to cloud up.

“Oh God, please don’t…”

“I’m sorry.” Ali wiped at her eyes quickly and let out an uncomfortable laugh. “I told you…all this engagement stuff—“

James brought her in for a hug. “As long as they’re happy tears, babe. I don’t care.”

* * *